Ford awards GKN Sinter Metals for supplier excellence

The Q1 award indicates that a supplier’s facility is identified as a preferred supplier to the Ford Motor Company and recognizes excellence in four areas; capable systems, continuous improvement, ongoing performance, and customer satisfaction.

Q1 suppliers are given priority in supplying certain products to Ford over other suppliers and to apply for new sourcing. This strong business relationship has helped the Milan plant to win more than €3 million of new business from Ford since 2010.

Ford is GKN Sinter Metals’ largest customer as well as being the third largest customer to the whole GKN group. GKN Sinter Metals supplies Ford with conventional powder metal components that are predominantly integrated into transmission and engine systems.

The Milan team has been working towards this achievement since 2010 when the application process began and has involved a Quality Operating System assessment from Ford. Gianni Ronchi, plant manager, said: ‘We are very proud to have received this award which recognizes the continued focus of GKN Sinter Metals on serving its customers and will present exciting new opportunities in the future. We are looking forward to continuing to develop our relationship with Ford.’

About GKN Sinter Metals

GKN Sinter Metals is the world’s largest producer of precision powder metal products. With a focus on superior delivery, quality and total solutions, the company offers extensive technical expertise in design, testing and various process technologies. GKN Sinter Metals offers a full range of more than 10,000 complex shape, high strength products for automotive, industrial and consumer markets worldwide. The company’s global footprint spans more than 13 countries across five continents. GKN Sinter Metals is in close proximity to its customers with more than 30 global locations and approximately 6,500 employees.

About GKN plc

GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy, GKN Aerospace and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the automotive, aerospace and land systems markets. Approximately 48,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of GBP6.9 billion in the year to 31 December 2012.